Ruben Amorim put his reputation on the line by agreeing to become Manchester United’s head coach last season.
When Erik ten Hag was sacked in October, Ineos quickly identified Ruben Amorim as the ideal replacement for the Manchester United hot seat.
Amorim was given an ultimatum – to join United midway through the season or not at all. Despite initially wanting to stay at Sporting until the summer, he eventually agreed.
His first season in charge ended in misery with United recording their worst-ever Premier League finish and missing out on Europe after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
After the final game of the season, Amorim promised ‘good times are ahead’ for United, but excitement is being sapped from the fanbase this summer.
Ineos are letting Ruben Amorim down this summer
Amorim put a lot of faith in Ineos and their long-term project at United when he agreed to take charge last season, and while he was far from perfect in his first few months, fans remain firmly behind Amorim moving into 2025/26.
Back in March, Amorim defended Ineos and insisted the ownership at Old Trafford had a “clear path” to success.
As quoted by Sky Sports, Amorim said: “I see a clear path, I see that from the board also. They are doing difficult changes, they are not popular, but they are doing them because they have a vision. That is clear.
“But in the future we need to show some results.”
That is where Ineos are currently failing. After the curtain was drawn on the 2024/25 campaign, the baton was handed over to the leadership group to execute United’s transfer plan.
Despite losing the Europa League final, Amorim insisted United planned for no Europe and was confident that signings would still arrive.
Ruben Amorim’s transfer demands have not been met by Ineos
There are now fewer than six weeks to go until the start of the new Premier League season, and the only movement in the transfer window is the £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha struck on the very first day of the window.
Ineos have been in talks with Bryan Mbeumo for over a month without coming to an agreement with Brentford, which means the 25-year-old has missed the start of pre-season training on Monday.
Beyond that, Amorim wants an “athletic” midfielder to be signed, as well as a new striker. Neither of those deals appear close.
But perhaps worse than United’s lack of incomings is the failure to offload players this summer.
Amorim has told five players to leave, including Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho – yet all three remain on the books at United.
It is not entirely Ineos’ fault given that players were given bloated big-money contracts under the Glazers, but the lack of activity is certainly frustrating fans, and surely Amorim too.
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